Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Dialogues of the Dead by Reginald Hill ISBN: 0-06-052809-5 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 30 September, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.28 (32 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A review of the entire series
Comment: Dialogues of the Dead was the first book I read from Hill's in the Dalzeel/Pascoe (D/P)series. I loved it and was hooked. A clever mystery with unexpected twists, the novel looks into the investogation of a serial killer byu the Yorkshire police department. The main character here is a younger officer, nicknamed Hat, with the unforgetable D/P couple serving as secondary characters.
In this respect the book is not very representative of the other novels in the series, which dwell to a large extent to Danzeel and Pascoe. What makes the series unique and likable is that gradually, novel after novel, Hill is building up an entire world surrounding the two policemen. In different novels, we get to know their families, friends and enemies and once developed neither of these characters looses his/her depth or complexity.
The ending of Dialogues of the Dead leaves the door open for another Hat story. But then again, Hill had a similar approach in his novel Deadheads , and never resolved the situation in another mystery (to the best of my knowledge--I have not read all of the novels).
Too bad that some of the D/P mysteries are already out of print!
Rating: 4
Summary: Word mavens rejoice
Comment: A new Dalziel and Pascoe novel is always a cause for celebration but "Dialogues of the Dead" is a special treat for puzzle and word-game lovers. Hill's books are celebrated for sly and clever wordplay but this novel takes it further, making a word-puzzle central to the plot.
Two accidental deaths are proved murder by "Dialogues" submitted to a local Yorkshire literary contest. The pieces contain clues, but the local police, including fat, crude, razor-sharp Supt. Andy Dalziel, and the refined and dependable Inspector Peter Pascoe, as well as several academic consultants, are baffled. Meanwhile young constable "Hat" Bowler begins to romance the attractive librarian Rye Pomona while finding numerous suspects among the sniping literati, except for one problem - they keep getting murdered.
Word mavens might follow clues to the solution, but Hill leaves the key hidden until the end. Intricately constructed, with well-drawn characters and diabolical murder scenes, this novel will dazzle puzzle fans. Those less in the know, like myself, may feel many of the sophisticated clues flying right over their heads.
Rating: 4
Summary: Need not be too literary to appreciate
Comment: While there is a definite "second level" on which this book can be appreicated by those with an abiding fascination with the Endligh language, this is at its heart a good -- make that great -- mystery novel. Don't let its "wordiness" scare you off. I read it on the train, where I could not pause to look up every word I didn't know. Even without understanding all of the keen tricks of language that Hill employs, this is a very enjoyable mystery novel. The pacing is fast, the dialogue is a notch above most crime fiction, and the twists and turns of the plot are enjoyable. I give this book "only" 4 stars because there are several components of the "twist" ending that he spills too late. To me, a great mystery lays out ALL of the clues before the end so that you can smack yourself in the forehead for not seeing them sooner. Hill holds back too many of these, taking some of the fun out of the ending. Nonetheless, the book is quite good and coherent. It's just not quite perfect. This was my first Hill novel. I will read many more.
 |
Title: Death's Jest-Book by Reginald Hill ISBN: 0060528052 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 23 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
 |
Title: Recalled to Life by Reginald Hill ISBN: 0440215730 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 03 July, 1993 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
 |
Title: Pictures of Perfection by Reginald Hill ISBN: 0440218004 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 01 September, 1995 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
 |
Title: A Pinch of Snuff by Reginald Hill ISBN: 0440169127 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 01 July, 1990 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
 |
Title: On Beulah Height by Reginald Hill ISBN: 0440225906 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 07 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
